SOCIAL CARE is about connection, about reaching out and making someone’s day better. Care is about the little things, like checking on someone or helping out with shopping (remember the solidarity of Covid, when people checked on their neighbors?) ..Well that is social care!
How can you be a superhero and make social care work for the people that need it you ask?
Well here are my top 5 tips to be a superhero
1) Take action… be PROACTIVE
Ask yourself what your nan, grandad, neighbor or family member (yes that aunt that you only talk to at Christmas) would like to do, and ask them if they want to do it! If they have a pet, cat, dog, dragon or a bunny rabbit, talking about it will be enough to get the conversation going and they will open up.
2) Listening to their needs
Everyone is different, so listening is the key to understanding a person. Please give time and don’t interrupt someone when they are talking. If possible nod and approve what they say and ask for additional information. This will build trust and empathy and is a very useful skill for life, relationships and business. If it works in social care it will work in your life!
3) Make someone smile 🙂
”People will remember how you made them feel, not what you have said” . If you can’t make someone feel a little bit better after they see or hear you, then you are doing it wrong!
Be present, listen and make eye contact with someone without saying anything. If you smile they will smile back. Win – win.
4) Celebrate the little things
In our digital world, when we are constantly overexposed to negative news (war, covid-19 or the cost of living) it is easy to loose track of the small things that matter. Making a cup of tea and sharing a biscuit with a friend, neighbour or elderly relative may not feel like much, but for someone that doesn’t have any visitors or family around it will make a big difference.
5)… ……………………………………. this is for you to complete
Social care only works if we all participate, so please leave a comment with what you think is missing or what social care means for you.
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